Alisha Lehmann has lofty ambitions with West Ham United.
The Swiss international scored nine goals in her first season with the Hammers, receiving a nomination for the PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year Award in the process.
With an SSE Women’s FA Cup Final under her belt, Lehmann is now targeting London-wide domination for West Ham; starting on Sunday.
The opportunity couldn’t be a bigger one. A televised match in front of what will likely be a record home league crowd for West Ham United women’s team, in their first-ever game at London Stadium, against Tottenham Hotspur.
This is a special game. It’s a London derby, at London Stadium and I want London to be claret after it’s done!
Alisha Lehmann
Everything about Sunday is exciting for Lehmann, who could also make her first start in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League of the 2019/20 campaign after suffering an ankle injury over the summer.
“I’m really excited,” she said. “It’s the first time that West Ham United women’s team will play at London Stadium and it’s a big thing for us. I would say it’s great.
“I was so surprised when I found out it was happening. I was really happy when I heard this. Everyone wants to play in big stadiums and this is our home stadium, so it couldn’t be better. It’s the West Ham stadium and we are West Ham. It’s our home too.
“Tottenham played really well against Chelsea and they have some really good players, but I think we have a better team. I hope we will win this game. I’m excited to play against them.
“This is a special game. It’s a London derby, and I want London to be claret after it’s done!”
Having sustained an injury during a summer training camp with Switzerland, Lehmann returned to starting action last weekend against Chelsea in the FA Women’s Continental League Cup.
The forward enjoyed her return to action and is looking forward to potentially making her first league start of the new season at London Stadium.
She added: “Finally, I can play again! The whole summer I was injured but now I’m back and my ankle feels really good. I’m looking forward to the game.
“I’m not that nervous at the moment, but I think I will be when we get closer to the game. But I think it will help us to play better, with more supporters there to cheers us on!”
We are supporting Breast Cancer Now. Our women’s team will be wearing a limited-edition pink shirt throughout fixtures in October. The shirt will be available in both men’s and women’s sizes from Sunday in the Stadium Store and online with all profits from shirt sales donated to Breast Cancer Now
